Bishop Noll’s Courtney Blakely has her own version of a triple play.

“I have a goal and an agenda for every game, so I’m just trying to play to the best of my ability to achieve that goal,” she said. “I want to be (in) the No. 1 spot in the state in scoring, get my teammates involved with assists and be a leader for my team. Those are the three most important things for me.”

Blakely succeeded in all of those areas at Hanover Central on Saturday. The senior guard had 20 points and five assists as Noll posted a 60-40 victory.

The Warriors (15-7, 5-0) completed an undefeated run through a truncated Greater South Shore Conference schedule. They reclaimed the title after Lake Station won it a year ago. Hanover Central (10-6, 2-2) edged Noll in their game last season.

“It feels good because we didn’t win conference last year,” Blakely said. “We didn’t think much of it, but it’s obviously very important. So I’m glad we refocused this year.”

Blakely is averaging a state-best 31.3 points entering sectionals. She has climbed to 18th in state history with 2,283 career points.

“I smile because of her humility,” Bishop Noll coach Vanita Golston said. “Even with accomplishing the all-time scorer at our school and ranked nationally, those personal accomplishments, she stays humble. At the end of the day, that we as a team take care of business, that’s what she’s here for.”

Senior guard Rose Fuentes continued her outstanding play of late with 15 points, 11 rebounds and five assists.

Fuentes, who eclipsed 1,000 career points with 22 in a win against Calumet on Friday, has scored at least 11 in six straight games, a stretch that also included a career-high 30. She had scored 11 in just three other games this season, during which she missed six games with an ankle injury.

“Rose is tough,” Blakely said. “She gets down there and gets dirty. She cleans all of our messes up, so thank God for her.”

Freshman guard/forward Kennedy Blakely continued her development with 12 points and 10 rebounds. She’s reached double figures in six straight games, having done so in three games previously.

“She was very shy shooting threes, but now that girl is like a shooting machine,” Courtney Blakely said of her sister. “I’m very proud of her and very excited to see what she’ll do in the postseason.”

Bishop Noll, which has won three straight games and eight of nine, is scheduled to play Lake Station or Marquette in the Class 2A Lake Station Sectional semifinals on Friday. The Warriors lost to Andrean in a final last season, ending their title streak at six.

“We’re pretty pumped for Friday,” Courtney Blakely said.

Senior guard Nevaeh Govert scored 17 points for Hanover Central, which played its third game in four days after going four weeks without a game due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Wildcats, scheduled to open the Class 3A Kankakee Valley Sectional against Wheeler on Tuesday, hit 2 of 22 from 3-point range against Noll.

“We shot very well the first two games, and we just got caught with tired legs,” Hanover coach Luis Roldan said. “We just have to hit some shots. Besides that, I was happy with our defense. To hold Blakely to 20, that’s pretty good compared to what other teams have done. We didn’t want her to have a 50- or 60-point game.

“They’re a good team, and this was a good game for us going into sectionals. I told the girls I believe we can make a deep run. It’s a new season, and anything can happen in the world of COVID.”

COVID-19 counter: Including River Forest and Whiting having withdrawn from the postseason, the number of Region teams to have missed time this season due to the coronavirus pandemic was at least 34: Andrean, Bishop Noll, Boone Grove, Calumet, Clark, Covenant Christian, Crown Point, East Chicago Central, Gavit, Griffith, Hanover Central, Hebron, Highland, Hobart, Kankakee Valley, Kouts, LaCrosse, Lake Central, LaPorte, Lowell, Marquette, Merrillville, Michigan City, Morgan Township, Munster, North Judson, North Newton, Portage, Valparaiso, West Side, Westville and Wheeler.

Poll position:Crown Point (18-1) ended the regular season ranked No. 2 in the state coaches poll. Andrean (16-1) and North Judson (15-5) were among the other teams receiving votes.